Election is first use of ranked-choice process in congressional race; results likely next week

Maine will use its ranked-choice voting process to determine the winner in the state’s closely contested second congressional district, Maine’s secretary of state said Wednesday.

This means residents in the sprawling district, the largest east of the Mississippi River, may not know until next week whether incumbent Republican Bruce Poliquin held his seat, or if Democratic challenger Jared Golden won. Neither candidate has cleared 50% support in a race that also includes two independents, according to an incomplete tally.